Krannert Art Museum has received reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, according to an April 15 announcement. The museum has held this recognition since 1977, and accreditation is considered the highest national honor for museums in the United States.
Accreditation highlights a museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and high professional standards. It is seen as a mark of quality by governments, funders, agencies, and visitors. The process involves a self-study conducted by the museum over one year and an on-site review by peer professionals before a final decision is made by AAM’s Accreditation Commission.
Peter Mortensen, Interim Director at Krannert Art Museum, said, “The reaccreditation process prompted Krannert Art Museum’s staff to reflect productively on how the museum has evolved since 2010 to deepen its engagement with campus and community audiences. The museum staff are experts in their fields—and it’s rewarding to see their hard work and dedication recognized at a national level.”
Marilyn Jackson, President and CEO of AAM said, “Accreditation is a monumental achievement. The process demonstrates an institution’s commitment to best practice.” Only about three percent of museums nationwide currently hold this status.
Krannert Art Museum’s collection features notable gifts from donors such as the Trees Family and acquisitions through the Works Progress Administration according to the official website. The museum promotes exploration of global fine art with permanent galleries dedicated to African arts, Andean art before 1600, art since 1948, and historical European and American art according to the official website. It also aims to build connections with visual arts for varied communities while serving both the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign—of which it is part—and East Central Illinois areas according to the official website.
The original building opened in 1961 was inspired by Mies van der Rohe architecture according to the official website.
Reaccreditation may strengthen Krannert Art Museum’s role as both an educational resource for university students and faculty as well as for local residents interested in exploring diverse artistic traditions.
